Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1887-02-10
ALFRED'S ESCAPADE.
How the Duke of Edinburgh Went on
Spree and Was Punished for 1t.


An English naval officer, at present
in this city, gave your correspondent
an interesting little story. Prince AL
fred in 1862 was midshipman on the
St. George, to which vessel my in
formant was assigned at the time it was
in the Baltic Sea. The young Prince
had two existences. While he was
aboard he would be treated in just the
same manner MS the other fellows of his
mess, and pranks were played upon
him as frequently as upon the rest
But whenever he went ashore he was a
Prince of England, and went in state,
always accompanied by Major Cowell,
now Sir John Cowell, who was his
governor One of the subieutenants
would be obliged to steer the barge for
his Royal Highness, holding his hat in
his hand meanwhile.
1.-THE very idea of a Lieutenant steer
ing the boat for a young midshipman
like YOU" said chatting officer to the
Prince one day as they rowed to shore.
ON make you pay for this when you
get aboard again"
"Really l can't help it; it's not my
fault, the lad replied, laughing.
The st. George was lying off Reval,
in the Gulf of Finland, one day, and all
hands had been ashore playing cricket.
Prince Alfred and his chum, Tom
Larkin, who belonged to a yacht in the
harbor, determined to go ashore again
that night. So after every body was
asleep the Prince stole from his bunk
and dropped over the side of the vessel
into ilsherman's boat alongside and
made for the yacht. There Larkin
joined him, and they set off for spree
and they had it. Meantime Major
Cowell was informed of the disappear
ance of the Prince, and there was a
tremendous disturbance on board.
Every nook and corner of the vessel
was searched, and two boats were sent
out to dredge the bottom of the gulf in
the fear that the Prince had fallen
overheard. Other boats were sent
ashore and the town was searched,
without success, however. The Prince
caught sight of Major Cowell and ran
and hid himself under an upturned
| boat and covered himself with some old
sacks lying around. The searching
| party returned to the vessel, and while
II consultation was being held as to
what to do next the Prince returned to
the vessel, climbed up the chains and
was soon in his berth. Here he was
found shortly after, and Commander
Edgerton Immediately sent for him.
"Where you have been, sir?" he de-
manded, angrily.
I've been in my hammock" the
Prince replied, very innocently.
Il desire no prevarication, sirr
stormed the commandment. "Have you
been ashore to-night?n
"Yes, have,n Alfred Guelph an
swered.
"Who was with youP"
That positively refuse to tell"
Ii was found out, though, later, ant
} poor Tom Larkin was absolutely for
hidden the privilege of being presented
at court. This was not a great priva
ton to him, as he died shortly after
ward. Young Alfred was punished b,
having his stripes removed, being re
duced to the rank of naval cadet, an,
made to do double duty for a month
} He was to have been at Carlsruhe thre
, months later to stand as godfather t
: the child of one of his sisters, but Queer
: Victoria, who was much displease,
; with his escapade, refused to allow hin
even to be Washington Cor
: ". Y. Star.